Door holder



Feb. s, 194s.'

R. s. POTTER 2,368,875

DOOR HOLDER Filed April 9, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l /4 www 5 ATTORNEY Feb. .6, 1945. l R, s. POTTER l 2,368,875

DOOR HOLDER Y r BY f6 /4 25 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 6, 1945 DooR HOLDER Robert `S. Potter, Stamford, Conn., assignor to The Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company, Stamford, Conn., a corporation4 of Connecticut Application April 9,' 194.2, Serial No."v 138,229i

(C1. lis- 49) 24 claims.

This invention relates tofa door holder device y utilized to hold a door in an open position. My

invention is adapted for use on doors of public rooms, and more particularly on doors of railroad cars. It is the custom on rail-road trains,` for the trainmen to open the doors at station stops and to operate some device for holding the doors in open position thereafter. When the train pulls out of the station, the trainmen are then required to release the doors from the holding device so that the doors may close. It

is a feature of my invention that it is adapted for this particular use, while facilitating considerably the work of the trainmen in carrying out the required operations. l y e A further feature of myk invention resides in the arrangement of a holder device which does not obstruct the door opening4 nor provide survfaces againstwhich persons may strike portions of their body when passing through the .door opening. i Y

Still a furtherfeature of my invention'resides in the arrangement of the elements of a holder device so that those elements are normally maintained against coaction but are adapted In describing my inventiornl shall referto it as mounted on a door closer `of Vthe type'illustrated in my-Patent No. 2,226,257,4granted on December for movement into coaction when released for the purpose.

A still further feature resides in the construction whereby'when the elements of the holder device are released relatively to one another to are automatically held in said separated posi-v tion, when separated by the' application sure to the door. A still further feature of my invention resides in the arrangement whereby the elements of'the holder device are held separated until released by a device which-is preferablymanually operated and which, in the preferred form of the invention, is the retainer device that is 'utilized yto maintain the `elements in separated relation.

A further important vfeature of my ,invention resides in the arrangement ofthe elements of the holder device as parts of a door closer assembly. A more particular feature of my invention resides in the mounting of elements of the holder closer so that one .element rotates about the axis of the usual door closer shaft,

0f Pres- "while the other element remains stationary relatively to the said axis.

24, 1940, but those skilled in the art will well appreciate that my invention may readily be. adapted for use on other types of door closers, all iny accordance with the teachings of my invention. VThose skilled in the art will 'furtherY appreciate that an `lunderstanding1of the basic principles of my invention willreadily ,lead to the developmentv of other mechanical forms of the invention, and they will understand thatV the patent claims to be Ygranted me vshould be suiciently broad to prevent 4the appropriationof my invention in such otherfmechanical for-ins; Referring now to the drawings,Y Fig. 1 shows a vdoor in open position, illus-` trating therelation oftheA door tothe door closer and holder' mechanism associated therewith. e I u l l, Fig.l 2 is a, vertical section of a door closer of the type illustrated in :my earlier patent, and showing the door holding ,mechanismgof my inventionapplied thereto. f v i Fig. 3 is a section taken along lines 3-.-3 of Fig; 2. y 1 Fig. 4 `is a view taken Valong lines 4-4 of n Fig. 2.

Fig. 5-is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the parts `in a different operating position. Fig.6 is a, section taken along lines 6-6 `of Fig.5." v f Referring now more particularly tothe drawings and especially Fig. l,-a door I0 is shown in open position relatively to a'- door frame II.V The door closer assembly I2 is shown in dottedy lines mounted Withinthe door frame I'I.l Closer arms I3 and l4'are pivoted relatively to one another at I5, thearm I3 being pivotally connected to the door I0 atI 6, and the arm I4 being secured for rotation with the 'shaft Il offthe door closer as illustrated best inFigs. 2 and 5. Those skilled r in the art'will understand that the opening move-4 ment of the door vserves,`thr`ou gh the arms I3l and I4, to wind the spring of. the door closer assembly I2 by rotation of the shaft Il, the*y release i the internal shaft 2| -of the door closer. The shaft 2I is maintained stationary relatively to a mounting member 22 that is utilized to mount the` entire door closer assembly I2 Within the frame I I.- The shaft II is mounted for rotation relatively to a special oil impregnated bearing 23 carried on the base 24 of the mounting member 22,

and protrudes downwardly through .base .24 so; that it maybe :secured to the arm I4 by the nut:

25. In this way, the door closer casing I8 is well supported at its lower end for rotary movement as will befully appreciated. The upper end ,ofv

the door closer casing I8 rotates on its internalA shaft 2I as a bearing, the .shaft 2l' being itselfl mounted in a bearing 26 formed in an upper door, vginorcler to outline the *type of structure tol which my doorholding mechanism 'maybe ap-J. plied. For fa clear Land complete description of .the door closer 'per se, reference should'be made Y to my ear-lier patent 'referred to above. lFor an appreciation of 'the present "invention, and the manner in which i-t vmay ,be utilized, the descr-ip-` tion 'I have given of lthe ldoor closer assembly 1.2 islqui'te-adequate. V f' I y v The casing I'8of the door/closer viis formed with a circular :surface f3l) -in `which is'cut 'a groove '-3I` for cooperation with screw studs '32 threaded into-fa sp'liftrtlisk 33. I'split disk 33 is mounted about y'the circular ySurfaoeII-and ifs-clamped rela;` tivelyv thereto by-1abolt 34. By loosening the `bolt 34 .split fdisk :S31-nay be Arotated and f thus adjusted relatively to the door .closer casing I8, after which thetightening `of 'the 'bolt 34 'will secure the split disk 33 in any adjusted position.

The screw studs `32A are used kmerely to prevent the split nc'iisk'' from dropping yaway from coaction 4'vv-ith fthe Icircu'lar surface '-30 4.While the fadjustment'is being made.

Thesplit -disk y3.3 is employedfby me as one felement of what I term a holder couple. As will be rather 'apparent to lthose skilled in the Yartfthe` split disk 33 is merelyone preferred and desirable form of .element that may :be'utilized as `pa'rt'of my door holding couple. .Actuallymazny other .types of :elements will :be readily :conceived by those skilled in the art as useful and adequate furthe purpose, :the :form `'nf the particular .element being largely dependent-onthe type v of door closer or other assembly with which it is to be tially Within' a bore 31 form'ed .on a block` 38 which is secured'to the base 2410i the v.mounting member 22 by 'bolts 39 and 40, as is probably best .illustrated in Figs. y4 and '-6. A leafspring anchored. An adjusting bolt 48 traverses a bore in a relatively central portion of leaf spring 4I and is threaded relatively to the mounting member 22 so that by a simple rotation of the bolt 48 the pressure with which the spring 4I urges the as be understoodby those skilled in this art.

Figs. 2 and Sillustratethe coaction between the plunger and the disk 33 comprising the holding couple of the preferred embodiment of my invention. `In those figures the door closer I 8 has vbeen rotated toa position corresponding to the open position of the door illustrated in Fig. 1. The disk V33r hasbeen rotated relatively to the plunger 35 Vand to roller 44 :so-as l,to bring'the depression f43 opposite fthe roller-,44, 'whereupon'the' rollerflies within the depression 43 and maintains the disk 33 `and thedoor closer casing I8 against that rotation which will effect the closing of the door. ,Should it now be desired -to close the door.

thedoorv .I0 will vmerely vbe rotated'forcibly'so that the depression 43 4will ycoact with the roller 44 yto force the plunger 35 from "its position of Fig. B to .its position of Fig. 6 -against thev pressure of the `spring 4I. This .naturally .releases the disk 33so that the door `closer mayeffect the closing move.

plunger 35.is thus moved .by disk 33 to its position of Fig. 6, .itis thereafter maintained in the Vposition ofFig. f6 so'that it cannotagain .be effective for vmaintaining the jdoor in an open position until some further action is taken. Moreover, the retention is entirely automatic. .For the' particular purpose, the plunger 35,1is notched as at 58 .for cooperation with atrigger `5I zpivoted at 5.2relatively to a support 53. The support 53 isgsecurrd to the base -24 of the mounting member 22 as best illustrated in Fig. 4, by a pair of bolts l55. A

4I .is .adapted 11:0 vbear at Ione -end vin a .-slot 42 fomned .in `tlfleplunger 35, and "urge the plunger to the-right .in the :several figures, .and toward .a depression 413 inthe .peripheral surface of the split disk '33. :A -roller'44 is mounted through pin on the xplunge35, .and is adapted .toflie within the `depression 4'3 of disk 33 incertain positions spring 55 is placed between the support 53 'and a finger piece 15.1 formed as an integral par-t of the trigger 5I.

, It willnow be er 35 is moved from 'the position of Figs. Zand 3 to the position of Figs. 5 4and 6 yby the forceful movement of the door III, the spring 56 will force -the trigger v5I into the notch '58 of the plunger -35 to maintain that plunger in the position yof Figs. 5 and 6. It is obvious that if the door is again opened, the plunger 35 willbe .incapable Vof coaction with the disk 33 to hold the door in its open position. If it is desired to maintain :the door in its open v.position onceag-ain, .it is rst necessary .for the trainmen to A.open the doorso as-to bring the disk .33 into the position of Fig. 3.

As vthe disk 33 .is-thus rotated, one fof the surfaces 43a formed .on the'disk .33 at each .side of the depression 43, `will=contact the roller-44 of the plunger .35.so as to move the plunger .35 .slightly -to the left of its'position of Fig. 5.k This slight movement will ease the pressure between the spring 56 into the release lposition of Fig. 2.v The 'plunger 35 will now be free .for movement to Vthe position of Figs. 2 and 3 for :cooperation withthe understood that'when'the plungposition of Fig. 1, whereupon one of the surfaces 43a will move plunger 35 through its roller 44, and relieve the pressure between the plunger 35 and the trigger 5|, so that the trainman can with very little diiiiculty move the trigger 5| to release the plunger 35 for movementv into its position of Figs. 2 and 3. The parts' in Fig. 3 are now adapted to maintain the door in open position against the force of the door closer I8 trying to close the door. When the train pulls out of the station the trainman merely forces the door towards its closed position, whereupon the plunger 35 is moved by disk 33 back `towards the position of Figs. 5 and 6, in which position the trigger 5| once again coacts with the plunger notch 5|) to maintain the plunger away from the disk 33, all as has been already described. The door closer |8 is now free to function as a usual door closer to close the door as the passengers open the door in entering and leaving the car. I now claim: y I 1. In a combination of the class described, a holder couple for a door having a pair of elements adapted for coaction when moved into predetermined alignment to hold the door in open position.`means normally urging the elements of said couple into coaction when brought into said predetermined alignment; means whereby said elements are brought into said predetermined alignment in a predetermined open position of the door, means' whereby when said elements are in coaction and said door is moved from said predetermined open position, one element is moved away from coaction with the other element, and means for automatically retaining said one element thereafter against movement into coaction with the other element of said holding couple.

2. In a combination of the class described, a

holder couple for a door having a pair of elements adapted for 'coaction when moved into predetermined alignment to hold the door in open position, means normally urging the elements of said couple into coaction when brought into said predetermined alignment, means whereby said elements are brought into said predetermined alignment in a predetermined open position of the door, means whereby when said elements'are in coaction and said door is moved from its open position, one element is moved away from` coaction with the other element, means for automa-tically retaining said -one element thereafter against movement into coaction with the other element of said holding couple, and means mounting said last means for manual release.

3. In a combination of the class described,` a

Aholder couple for a door having a pair of elements adapted for coaction when moved into predetermined alignment to hold the door in open position, means of connection between said holder couple and the doorwhereby said elements are brought into said predetermined alignment when said door is in a predetermined open position, means for adjusting the relation of said .elements to vary .the predetermined 'open position of the door, means normally urging the elements of said couple into coaction, means whereby When saidr elements are in coactionand said door is moved from its predetermined open position, one Velement isfmoved away from coaction with the other element, and means for automatically retaining s`aid one element thereafter against movement into coaction withthe other element of said holding couple.

4. In a door closer of the class described, a`

doorclo'ser, a holder couple having a pair of elements secured on parts of the door closer movable relatively to one another as the door closer is actuated during opening and closing movement of the door, means whereby said elements are spring pressed into engagement whereby to hold the parts .of the door closer in a position corre- 'sponding to a predetermined open position of the door, means whereby when said elements are in engagement and said door is moved from its open position one of said elements is moved away from engagementwith the other element, and retaining means for automatically retaining said one element thereafter against movement into engagement with the other element of said holding couple.

5. In a door closer of the class described.'v a

door closer, a holder couple having a pair of elements secured on parts of the door closer movable relatively to one another as the door closer is actuated during opening and closing movement of the door, means whereby said elements are spring pressed into engagement whereby to hold the parts of the door closer in a position corresponding to a predetermined vopen position of the door, means whereby when said elements are in engagement and said door is moved from its open position one of said elements is-,moved away from engagement with the other element, and spring pressed retaining means for automatically retaining said one element thereafter against -movement into engagement with the other element of said holding couple anclmanually movable to release said one element for engagement with said other element. l

6. In a combination of the classl described, ,al

holder couple for a door comprising a surface having a detent depression and a spring pressed holder adapted to lie in said depression and thereby yieldingly prevent relative movement between said surface and holder, means of connection between at least one element of s-aid holder couple and a door whereby when said surface and holder are held against relative movement by the said holder lying in said depression, said door is held in a, particular open position, means whereby forceful movement of said surface relatively to said holder by forceful movement of the door effects the retraction of said holder a presurface and plunger, means. of connection between at least one element of vsaid holder couple and a door whereby when isaid surface and plungerare held against rotation by the said plunger lying in said depression, said door is held ina particular open position, means whereby forceful rotation of said surface relatively to. 'saidlplunger by` forcefuly movement ofthe door eifects Lthe :retraction 'of .fsa-id plunger `aa :predetermined distanceyand r-nanually releasable retaining means for thereafterautomatically :retaining said plunger retracted said predetermined vdistance.

8. In a combination ofthe class ldescribedfa` holder couple rfor a door comprising a member` having a deten-t depression :and -a'spring pressed plunger adapted to l-ie in sa-id depression and thereby prevent relative rotation between said member 4and plunger, means of connection -between at least one element of said holder couple and a door whereby when said member and plunger are -held against rotation by the said plunger lying Yin said depression, said deor is held in a particular open position, means -whereby forceful rotation of said member relatively to said plunger by .forceful movement of the door ing a Idoor .closing shaft rotatable "upon `opening movement of the door, a member X ed for rotation with said shaft as the ydoor is closed .and 'have` ing a Adepression formed thereon, a spring pressed plunger adapted to-enter-said depression to hold said member and shaft against rotation from .a predetermined positioncorresponding lto the open position of the door to which 4said closer is applied, 4a retainer cooperable Ywith -said plunger for holding it against projection into `said v:depression when said plunger is retracted a prede-` termined distance, said retainer being .manually movable to reelase said plunger for entrance into said depressionwhen said shaftis rotated to align the depression in said member with said plunger, and means for retracting said 4plunger .said predetermined distance when said shaft .and mem- "ber are rotated forcefully relatively to said plunger. Y

. tion with the other element whereupon it is held for .automatically holding yit :against projection into said depression when .saidplunger is `retracted a `predetermined distancesaid .retainer being manually movable -to release saidvplunger forrentrance into said depression when said .shaft is rotated to align the depression-with saidplunger, Aand a surface :on said disk for retracting-said plunger Isaid `predetermined distance when -sa-id shaft and disk are rotated vforcefully relatively .to

holder lcouple out of coaction with the other elementof Ysaid 4couple rso that said door may open and shut, means normally urging the elements of said couple into coaction, `and means whereby when ysaid elements are in coaction and said door is moved from said predetermined open position, the said one element is moved away from coacby `said retaining means thereafter against coaction with the other element of said couple.

13. In a lcombination -of the `class described,a holder couple fora door having a pair of elements adapted for coaction when 'brought into Ypredetermined alignment to Ahold the door in 10. In a combination -of theeiass described a.

` i s rotated to align the depression with saidplung I er, means for retracting-said plunger said predetermined distance when said shaft andv disk are rotated forcefully relatively to said plunger, and

vmeans for ,adjustably fiXi-ngsaid diskrelatively .to said shaft to determine the open position :of

said door. n

l1. In a combination of the class described, a door ycloser having a door closing shaft, -af-'disk fixed relatively to lsaid shaft and' having Va depression formed thereon, a spring pressed plung- Ier adapted to enter said .depression to hold said` .disk vand shaft againstrotation from a predetermined position corresponding .to the 'fopen position of .the .door to which said closer is applied, ,a retainer spring .pressed toward said plunger open position, means whereby said elements are brought into said predetermined alignment when the door is moved to a predetermined'open position, means retaining one element of said holder couple out of coaction vwith the other element of said couple so 'that -said door may open and shut, means normallyurging the elements of said couple into coaction, and means whereby jwhen said elements are in vcoaction and `said door :is

movedA from said predetermined open position,

the said one element is moved away from coacl tion with the other element whereupon it is held by said retaining means thereafter against coaction with the other element of said couple luntil said retaining means is moved to release said one element for coaction with the other element of said couple.

14. In a combination of the class described, a holder couple for a door comprising' a disk having Ia detent depression and a spring pressed plunger adapted to lie in said depression and thereby prevent relative rotation ,between said disk and plunger, means of connection between at least one Iof said parts of said holder Icouple and a door whereby when said disk and plunger are held against rotation by the said plunger lying lin said depression, said door is held vin a particular open position, :a retainer for retaining said plunger :out of said vdepression whereby normally to allow relative rotation ofthe yelements lof .said holder couple andtherefore free closing andv opening movement of said door, the release of said plunger from said retainer allowing it to enter the depression in saiddisk, means whereby forceful rotation of -said disk relatively to said plunger by forceful movement of the 'door effects .the retraction of 'said plunger a'predetermined distance, and means whereby said retainer there'- after retains the plunger retracted said prede; termined distance until `actuated to release' said plunger. v

15. In a combination of `the class described, .a holder .couple .for a door having -a :pair of elements adapted for coaction when brought into predetermined alignment to hold the door in open position, means whereby said elements are brought into said predetermined alignment when the door is moved to a predetermined open position, means normally urging the elements of said couple into coaction, a retainer for retaining one element of said holder couple out of coaction with the other element of said couple against the urging of said means so that said door may open and shut.

16. In a combination of the class described, a holder couple for a door having a pair of elements adapted for coaction when brought into predetermined alignment to hold the door in open position, means whereby said elements are brought into said predetermined alignment when the door is moved to a predetermined open position, means normally urging theelements of said couple into coaction, a retainer for vretaining one element of said holder couple out of coaction with the other element of said couple against the urging of said means so that said door may open and shut, said retainer being movable to release said one element for coaction with the other element of said couple.

' lation, a spring pressing said plunger toward said 17. In a door closer of the class described, a

door closer, a holder couple having a pair of elements secured on parts of the door closer movable relatively to one another as the door closer is actuated during opening and closing movement of the door, spring means whereby said elements are spring pressed into engagement to hold the parts of the door closer in a positioncorresponding to a predetermined opening of the door, and retaining means for holding said elements out of engagement against the pressure of said spring means whereby to allow free opening and closing movement of the door.

18. In a combination of the class described, a plunger, a holding surface, `a spring pressing said plunger toward said holding surface, a trigger spring pressed against a detent surface of said plunger whereby to hold said plunger against movement by its spring toward said holding surface, said trigger being manually movable away from said detent surface, a release surface movable relatively to said plunger for moving said plunger against its spring whereby to relieve somewhat the pressure between the plunger and said trigger, whereupon said trigger is the more readily moved against its spring .pressure to release said plunger for movement toward said holding surface.

19. In a combination of the class described, a holder couple fora door comprising a member having a detent depression and a spring pressed plunger adapted to lie in said depression and thereby prevent relative rotation between said member and plunger, means of connection between at least one element of said holder couple and a door whereby when said member and plunger are held against relative rotation' by the said plunger lying in said depression, said door is held in a particular open position, .a surface on said member juxtaposed to said depression andl cooperable with said plunger upon forceful rotation of the door to retract said plunger a predetermined distance, and a spring pressed retaining means for automatically engagingv and retaining said plunger retracted said predetermined distance. i

20. In a combination of the class described, a plunger, a holding member having a holding surface and a release surface in juxtaposed reholding surface, a trigger spring pressed against a detent surface of said plun-ger whereby to hold said plunger against movement by its spring toward said holding surface, said trigger lbeing manually movable away from said detent surface, said release surface moving relatively to said plun-ger upon rotation of said holding 'member position, means mounting each of said elements for movement, means normally urging the elements of said couple into coaction, means whereby when said elements are in coaction and said door is moved from its open position, one element is moved away from 'coaction with the other element, and means for automatically retaining said one element thereafter against movement into coaction with the other element of said holding couple.

22. In a combination of the class described, a -holder couple for a door having a pair of elevments adapted for coaction to hold the door open,'

means whereby one of said elements moves as' the door rotates to open position, means whereby said second element effects retaining` coaction with said first element after said first element is moved to a predetermined position corresponding to a predetermined open position of said door, means whereby when said elements are in coaction and said door is moved from its open position, one element is moved away from' coaction j lwith the other element, and means for automatically retaining said one element thereafter against movement into coaction with the other element of said holding couple.

23. In a combination of the class described, a holder couple for a door having a pair of elements adapted for coaction to hold the door in open position, means for adjusting the relation of said elements to vary the point of their coaction whereby to vary the open position of the door, means normally urging the elements of said couple into coaction, means whereby when said elements lare in coaction and said door is moved from its open position, one element is moved away from coaction with the other element, and means for automatically retaining said one elementy thereafter against movement into coaction with the other element of said holding couple.

24. In a combination of the class described, a holder couple for a door comprising a member having a. detent depression and a spring pressed plunger adapted to lie in said depression land thereby prevent relativev rotation between said member and plunger, means of connection be` tween at least one element of said holder couple and a door whereby when said member and plunger are held against rotation by the said plunger lying in said depression, said door'is heldin a to retract said plunger a predetermined distance,

and a spring pressed retaining means for automatically engaging and retaining said plunger retracted said predetermined distance.

ROBERT s. POTTER. 

